The Canon Law Society of Australia and New Zealand held its 57th annual conference in Brisbane last week, with internationally recognised canonical experts providing attendees with practical skills and knowledge in this area of the Church’s essential ministry.
Held at Rydges South Bank from September 2-5, the event brought together almost 100 delegates from Australia, New Zealand, Oceania, Asia and North America.
President of CLSANZ, Fr Ken Cafe OFM, highlighted the importance of such gatherings for the continued growth and understanding of canon law within the Catholic Church.
“We are delighted with the turnout and the engagement we witnessed over the past four days,” Fr Café said.
“This conference provided a welcome opportunity for our members to reconnect and delve into the critical issues facing the Church’s legal framework today.”
The conference sessions were designed to equip both laypeople and clergy with the tools needed to address the challenges they face in their respective roles within the Church.
A highlight of the event was the session by Msgr Dr Brendan Daly on spiritual abuse as a crime.
Since 2017, Msgr Daly has been a Judicial Vicar of the Tribunal of the Catholic Church for New Zealand.
“The opportunity to share knowledge with such a dedicated group of professionals is always rewarding,” Msgr Daly said.
“The discussions we had here in Brisbane will equip delegates with the necessary resources to apply canon law appropriately in their respective parishes, dioceses, and wider Catholic communities.”
In addition to Msgr Brendan’s address, the conference featured internationally acclaimed speakers, including Dr Edward Morgan KC, from the United Kingdom, who offered important insights into the workings of church tribunals.
As this year’s conference came to a close, Fr Case reiterated the society’s dedication to supporting education and discussion in canon law.
“With the positive feedback from delegates and the high level of participation, this year’s conference will have a lasting impact on the ongoing practice and understanding of canon law.”
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Canon Law Society Conference draws internationally acclaimed experts and record numbers in Brisbane (CLSANZ)
